Chest ImagingTracheal bronchus
a
congenital abnormality of the tracheobronchial branch pattern. A tracheal bronchus arises from the trachea superior to its bifurcation (
Fig.1). The term has been extended to describe an abnormal bronchus arising from the right or left main bronchi. Most cases are located on the right side. Frequently asymptomatic, such abnormal bronchi can be revealed by recurrent infection,
atelectasis or
bronchiectasis. They supply most often either partially or totally the apical segment of the upper lobe. A
stenosis may be seen on the proximal part of the bronchus. Tracheal bronchi are of variable length, sometimes reduced to a blind-ending pouch. In rare cases, the tracheal bronchus is supernumerary.
Left tracheal bronchus is less frequent. It consists of an early origin of the apicoposterior segment of bronchus of the left upper lobe from the terminal portion of the left main bronchus. This abnormality is often associated with overinflation and air trapping, bronchiectasis or lymphangiectasis pulmonary.
PG
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Coronal reconstruction after spiral CT acquisition showing a right tracheal bronchus arising from the right lateral aspect of the distal part of the trachea (arrow).
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Tracheal bronchus, Fig.1 | |